God Promises to Walk Through Every Death Valley With Me

Photo by, Kim M Andrist

By, Laurel Senick

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

I've always imagined a literal death with this passage, the threat of death that is always around us. But a recent event allowed me to see death’s other stinging possibilities-- like the death of a desire or dream. 

My husband and I have been foster parents just over two years.  We have never been able to have our own children, but we know the Lord will bless us one day with children whether by birth, fostering or adoption. 

A few weeks ago we received an email telling us that two little boys had been cleared for adoption and in need of a forever home. The brothers were two and three year’s old, toddlers. Boy how our lives would change! After prayer our excitement budded, and we let Social Services know that we were interested in being their forever parents. 

The next day we received a picture of these two little angels. Our social worker explained that a few other families were interested and that the team would meet next week to decide which family would make the best match.

We prayed along with our church community group.  A few other friends and family were told and asked to pray. Our prayer was that God would place these two precious ones where they were meant to be. That God would sovereignly reign over the situation. 

The night before the meeting when the final decision would be made I was very excited. I had tried all week not to get my hopes up. But what is hope if not up?

I received an email the next afternoon. 

Another couple was chosen.

I tried to put on a brave face in front of friends and family saying I knew that God knew best, but Jesus saw my broken heart, my questions. He began the process of healing.  

Using His word and His people God is healing me. 

Long before I was born God promised to walk through every death valley with me, assuring me every step that he is sovereign and good.

Are you in a place where you need to know that God is sovereign and offering you His hand?

Bio: 

Laurel Senick has journaled her experiences and prayers to God for years. As a member of Word Weavers Wilmington, Laurel is shaping her writing into works that will bless and encourage others. She is married to her sweet husband Don who supports all her creative endeavors. They attend Live Oak Church.

Making Time for Memories

By JoAnne Silvia,

“I thought I’d never see you again!”

That’s what Aunt Ruth said when we surprised her last week for her birthday. My dad had been talking about wanting to go see his sister in Milwaukee for a few months, but he was hesitant about making the trip from North Carolina. At 83, his war wounds from Korea- and knees that need replacing- make every step a challenge. But with Aunt Ruth turning 92, despondent about her loss of independence and telling us in every phone call, “I’m praying for the Lord to take me,” Dad decided he needed to go see his sister.

    

We made the trip, with assistance from patient airport staff maneuvering Dad to our connecting flight in Atlanta and wheeling him all the way to the rental car in Milwaukee, to stand at Aunt Ruth’s door where we called her on the phone since she didn’t hear the buzzer or the knock. Dad didn’t want to tell her we were coming, because he didn’t want her to worry. We just told her there was a birthday surprise on the way. She was so happy to see us her eyes sparkled, and she welcomed us into her apartment with amazing agility as if she could run circles around her baby brother.

 Aunt Ruth doesn’t remember what she had for lunch two hours ago, but she and Dad collaborated to recall colorful details of growing up in Wisconsin. During our three day visit, it was my privilege to soak up stories of family history- especially stories about the grandmother I never knew.

 Dad’s mother, Marie, worked hard all her life. “She could make do with anything,” Aunt Ruth said. It was an important skill for a woman married to an alcoholic who was “always right.”  Aunt Ruth and Dad talked about how their mother made most of their clothes, often by re-making hand- me-downs from neighbors. She grew vegetables to “put up” in the basement and flowers for the church altar. She raised chickens and baked 12 loaves of bread every Saturday. She made pies and cakes on Sundays. She took in the orphaned children of her brother and took care of her mother.

During our visit to Wisconsin, Dad opened up more to me about the horrors of Vietnam, something he’d stopped talking about because it gave him nightmares. He told me about drinking heavily when he got back to the states to try to medicate what we now call PTSD. He told me that he thought of taking his own life when I was 12 years old and totally clueless. He told me about the Navy chaplain who took him under his wing and encouraged him to give his pain and guilt to God. Now, I feel tremendous gratitude for the man of God who helped save my father’s life.
  

Taking my dad to Wisconsin, spending quality time with him and Aunt Ruth, blessed me with rich memories. It was a blessing for them to be able to share this time together. I will always remember listening to them reminisce for hours as I drifted off to sleep on Aunt Ruth’s sofa, feeling safe and comforted by the memories of love that prevailed over all their hardships.

Bio: JoAnne Silvia has worked as a substance abuse counselor for over 26 years. She is currently working on the memoir, Perfect Timing, Lessons in Love, Faith and Perseverance, with her husband David, her high school sweetheart who found her after 39 years of no contact when the time was right. You can find more of JoAnne’s writing on her blog: “Anything is Possible,” at Joannaoftheforest.wordpress.com

Learning Trust through Bitter Moments: A Closer Look at the Life of Naomi

Written by, Laura Meneffee

I have come to be very fond of the story of Ruth. For years, the Lord has put it in front of me, allowing me to wrestle through every little part. This morning though, I saw a side that I hadn't seen before. I saw the clear statements from Naomi regarding bitterness.

“The almighty has made my life very bitter.”
“The Lord has afflicted me.”
“The almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”    (Ruth 1:21)

I had never thought of Naomi as a bitter woman and have never noticed her described that way but in this passage, I couldn't help but hear evidence that she was bitter at this time in her life. After all, Naomi was hurt by her situation and she acknowledged that God, in his sovereignty, allowed it. She had lost her husband, her two sons and her home. Her life was going to be very difficult given her age and situation.

It's painful when you know that the God you love is all powerful and He loves you very much, but He is allowing you to go through something difficult. We often question, “Why do you want me to go through this Lord? Why do you want me to suffer?”

Deep down inside I'm sure Naomi saw a purpose for what she was going through, though she just wasn't able to see it at first. She had to take it, bear it and trust that God knew best.  

She had to live in her pain, knowing God allowed her to be there.

Have you been in this place?  Have you felt like God was against you and must be mad or disappointed in you?  I know I have.

Even in Naomi’s sorrow, God was working for her. In the last chapter of Ruth, Naomi's friends address her:

“Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous through out Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter in law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth” (Ruth 4:14,15).

This child that Ruth laid in her mother in law’s arms was named Obed, the father of Jesse, King David’s Father. This woman, in the midst of her sorrow, became the great grandmother of King David, a man after God’s own heart. 

Even though it seemed like God had forgotten Naomi, He certainly had not. 

We also can know that God is working out the details of our life for good, just as it states in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”   

  

Bio:   Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 1998, Laura Menefee has learned to live through very painful emotional times. She shares her experience through writing and speaking, hoping to bring awareness. She lives in Wilmington NC, but is originally from Northern Kentucky.

Amazing Grace

By,  Melissa Cox 

With downcast eyes, Joy stood nearby as her friend Stormy leaned toward the other women in line. 

While the conference/concert goers waited for the doors to open, Stormy’s eyes flashed as she hurled her words: 

“There will be no saving seats tonight!”

Earlier that day during the women's conference, Stormy and Joy encountered the very same same group of women, and a heated argument brewed over seats that were claimed but unoccupied. The guardian of the reserved seats insisted Stormy and her friend sit elsewhere in the 3,000 seat arena. They did, but Stormy was very vocal about the inconvenience and her displeasure. 

Now, hours later, either by chance or intent, Stormy was once again addressing the woman who’d saved seats earlier and her group of friends. The surrounding spectators stepped back, held their breath, and waited for the response.

But before a battle could erupt, Grace stepped out of the group and approached Stormy. With a calm and gentle voice, she smiled and said, "If you want my seat, I'll be glad to give it up for you."

What else could Stormy say? Her argument and temper were completely diffused. A conversation ensued and Grace and Stormy talked about their life journey; they even exchanged phone numbers. 

Joy was so relieved Grace stepped in when she did.  She had been trying to settle Stormy down for a long time, but Stormy wouldn't, or maybe couldn't, hear her.  Now the two of them would be able to have a good time and enjoy the evening’s events in peace.

All thanks to Grace.

When you encounter women like Stormy, how do you respond?  Will Grace’s kindness help change your response?

Bio: Melissa Cox has lived in Wilmington with her husband and daughters for almost 10 years. She has been leader of a Women’s Prayer group for three of those years. Ironically, it was at the Women of Joy conference that her small group encountered “Stormy” and God poured out HIS amazing grace to teach a lesson in peace to all of them.  

I Yearned for Something More: The Journey from Platitude to a Personal Easter Experience

By, Mirjami Budarz

From my childhood, in Finland, I remember Palm-Sunday and sweet songs of Hosanna in the church and heart; the house was cleaned for the holy-days, our long farm table was decked with linen cloth, pussy willow branches were put in a large vase and decorated with ornaments. Grandma and mother baked many kind of special Easter pastries, and cooked. We children colored eggs.

From my the teenager years I remember, that during passion week the radio played only classical music and hymns and movie theaters featured somber religious movies, if any. It was a long boring week, time of waiting and suffering. Then Easter came, and I felt obligated go to church and hear of death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The church bells chimed, and I yearned for something more. Then we finally had our festive family meal. Life was “on” again.

As a young adult, a new mother, Easter became cutesy, with new outfits, a time of furry Easter bunnies, egg hunts, candy and a noisy festive meal at Grandma's house, and I yearned for something more.

Then something happened in the early seventies, during Chicago's, hot summer, during a time of social and spiritual upheaval, a time when tanned hippies slept on the beach with their dogs, marijuana, and incense smells lingered in the humid air. A time when long haired young women walked barefoot, dressed in fringed cutoff jeans and halter tops, peace signs dangling on chains around their necks, including mine. The time when our little son waited excitedly for a baby-brother whom he wanted to name after his favorite car, Buick. A time when our money was tight,Vietnam war was ending or over. Time of our second baby's birth, (no we didn't name him Buick)...And I yearned for something more.

Suddenly.. the name Jesus started to pop up in every-day conversations, there were signs of surprising spiritual quests everywhere. I heard of Him during the frequent walks with my little boys to the newly opened health store; He followed me to the farmers market and Indian restaurant or past the transcendental meditation-yoga shop. I heard 

(more like a haunting) of Jesus almost anywhere I went...and constantly my own thoughts drifted to God. Finally one evening I knelt in the alone-ness by my bedside and prayed simply: “Jesus if you are real, I need to know you, come into my life.”

Then, the first time since childhood, I heard a sweet Hosanna song in my heart as a bitter-sweet Easter exchange took place, and what had been just a platitude turned to a deep personal experience.

Holy son of God gave His life as ransom for mine. I sold Him for 30 pieces of silver, He made me His priceless treasure. I denied him, He adopted me in His family. And as I yelled, “crucify Him”, He prayed, “Father forgive her, she knows not what she is doing.” As I hammered the nails in His sacred hands, He carved my name in His palms. When I jabbed a crown of thorns on His brow, He promised me the crown of life. And as I stripped Him naked, He gave me a robe of righteousness. When I pierced His side, He made my heart His habitation. As I wrapped His dead body in burial cloths and spices, He gave me His life, washed me white as snow and I became a sweet savor of Him. I felt ashamed of what I had done and hid Him behind a stone, there He became my corner stone and rock of salvation. I left Him alone in tomb, but death could not keep Him, for His name was Life.

And when He rose on the early dawn of that long-ago Easter-morning, He proclaimed, “I will never leave nor forsake you.” Therefore now I profess, “My Lord and my King,” and as His cherished child I sing joyfully again:

“Into the city I'd follow the children's band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;                                                        one of his heralds, yes, I would sing, loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"

                                           

Bio:

Author and artist Mirjami Budarz was born in Finland after WWII into a large displaced Karelian family. Later she moved with her family to Germany and eventually the United States retiring in Wilmington, NC, with her husband in 2008. A short story of Mirjami’s was published in Guidepost’s, Unexpected Answers and she has illustrated two children’s books. 

Heavenly Appetizer

Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they will see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began. John 17:24.

By, Sondra Dron

Jesus once allowed me to see what it will be like when I am with him.

I dreamed I was standing on the grounds of a large estate. A magnificent house stood on an upward slope of land. A grove of trees towered over me. The sunlight played in the leaves above and the grassy moss formed a carpet beneath my feet.

Someone touched my shoulder and I turned. Without a word, He put his hand on my back and we waltzed. We skillfully twirled and swayed beneath the trees, in and out, from shade to sun. I marveled at my ability to dance so grandly. I noticed His suit, which resembled a military dress uniform, light in color and adorned with applets, braid and medals earned.

 I lifted my eyes to see His face. It was Jesus. My knees went weak, but He held me firm.

I struggled between an impulse to run away and a desire to experience the intimacy and exhilaration of the dance. I stayed. I drew closer to His chest, unable to look into His eyes again, but wanting to.

He slowed our steps and, putting His arm at my waist, led me toward a path sloping downward. Approaching a place where the ground dropped off sharply, we turned and continued until we came to the bottom of the small cliff. In the cliff, an area like a porch was hollowed out. I was drawn to a richly upholstered bench. I sat down and He followed. The rock hung overhead; gentle rivulets of water danced off the edge.

We sat silently for awhile then He pointed through the soft cascade. The land swept downward, covered in rich grass until it became a wood. Beyond the trees was a still blue lake reaching to the horizon. He put His arm behind me on the bench and leaned toward me.

“I made this all for you,” He said.

I looked into His eyes once more and my dream was gone.

I find comfort recalling the dream. My anticipation grows as I remember His promise: “And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 NIV

As you ponder the cross and the resurrection this Holy Week, remember that Jesus was looking beyond the cross to the day that He and we will be joyful together where He is.

Anticipate! Rejoice!
Has Jesus given you a dream of heaven?

Sondra Dron loves to help others find intimacy with Jesus. Her passion is to point children to Jesus so they can know Him fully. Her current project is a devotional book for boys. She lives in Wilmington with her husband, David.

Back It Up, Girlfriend!

By, Beth Jarrott

My goal was to join the blogosphere by March of 2014. For months I’d been researching, writing and editing a month’s worth of posts before launching my blog. I even bought Blogging for Dummies.

 The day of launching my blog finally arrived.

I bounced upstairs and fired up my laptop, clicked on the folder labeled “First Month’s Blog”  and for whatever reason, I decided to change its name. Only instead of clicking “Rename,” I clicked “Delete!”

No. No. This can’t be happening!

I remembered the Recycle Bin.

 Yay!

I popped it open only to discover that it had been disabled. Apparently when I bought my laptop a year ago, the person who installed the software didn’t think the Recycle Bin necessary and disabled it.

At that moment  I remembered the episode of Sex In The City where Carrie Bradshaw’s beloved laptop crashed. (I think it’s the only entire episode of Sex In The City I've ever watched) She, too, was a writer. She rushed her laptop to some computer geek only to hear, “It’s not looking good. Did you back it up?”

 “Back it up?” She yells. “No! I didn’t back it up!”

 Panic-stricken like Carrie Bradshaw, I drove my laptop to the nearest computer repair shop.

 God can make a way where there seems to be no way, I kept breathing.

 The computer whiz asked me, “Did you backup your stuff?”

 If I had backed it up, I wouldn't be here!

He ran two recovery programs through my computer, to no avail. Since the Recycle Bin had been disabled, my laptop obliterated the file. All my hard work vanished, with one simple click. I wanted to cry.

Unlike Carrie Bradshaw, comforted only by her Louboutin, lacquered red soles; I drew comfort from the Savior of my soul.

I was now tasked with rewriting a month’s worth of posts.

I wanted to give up.

But fellow Word Weavers  prayed for me.They prayed that my rewrites would surpass the original ones.

As I started over, I remembered reading Franklin Graham’s book, Rebel With A Cause. In it he shared how his wife, Jane Austin, had accidentally deleted an entire book he had written. He immediately went into action, and for the next several months he rewrote his book. Consequently, it turned out to be a God thing – the rewrite was better than the original he said.

On April 1^st, 2014, I finally launched my blog My Encore Life of Raising My Grandchildren. (click on link)

Like Franklin Graham, I liked my rewrite even better. God doesn't waste anything.

Backing Up Your Stuff!

Typically, I backup my stuff. I really do! Except for about a month, I wasn't backing up anything. I was so focused on writing, I simply forgot.

We buy insurance for our homes, cars, boats, businesses and more. We need to think of backups as data insurance.There are a plethora of programs to backup data (saving information to other sources). For example: Google Cloud, Skydrive, Carbonite, a flash drive, or simply saving your documents to an email folder.

 And girlfriend, you can bet Carrie Bradshaw’s designer shoes, I’ll be backing up my prose from here on! 

How about you, are you backing up your stuff?

Beth Jarrott is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, where she lives an Encore Life  with her husband, Tom, and their two granddaughters, Grace and Bella. For over a decade she traveled throughout North Carolina providing self-esteem programs in youth prisons, detention centers and training schools. She is also a writer, speaker, lover of Jesus, and in the summer months she can often be found dipping her toes into the great Atlantic Ocean. Visit her blog: My Encore Life of Raising myGrandchildren. (click on link)